Dealing with the loss of a limb is, without a doubt, a life-altering experience for a patient. Mundane tasks and actions the individual performed effortlessly become troublesome, challenging to navigate and may require assistance from friends and family members.
Although the recovery period may seem daunting at first, there are tried-and-true tactics that can make the transition period easier to manage. If you have a friend that is currently struggling to readjust to their new life with a prosthetic, here’s what to consider while moving into the future.
Don’t Exclude Them From Activities or Events
Let’s face it: Our natural inclination is to assume that our friend will no longer be able to partake in activities that are physically or emotionally demanding. However, we should avoid this mindset to give our friend the best life possible while learning the ins and outs of their new prosthetic.
Revisiting familiar activities and settings will also ease the transition period as your friend deals with his or her prosthetic. This period will also help your friend build much-needed strength and endurance in new muscle groups to make previous activities easier to manage and navigate.
Embrace and Research New Technology and Medical Breakthroughs
A negative experience when dealing with a prosthetic is managing anxiety, depression and dread that creeps into the minds of post-surgery patients. A brilliant way to counteract these feelings and instances is to stay updated and familiar with emerging medical technologies and advancements.
Minute by minute, hour by hour, medical researchers and healthcare providers are looking for new ways to improve existing prosthetic technology. From neural implants and prosthetics that accurately replicate a functioning limb, the medical advancements in the realm of prosthetics are improving by the day.
These new insights and treatments not only give your friend hope for the future, but help them remain optimistic and energetic about their life with a prosthetic.
Minimize Limiting Beliefs and Negative Self-Talk
In conjunction with staying up to date with medical research, you must encourage your friend to manage their self-talk and limiting beliefs once they receive their prosthetic.
While we’re all guilty of criticizing and being overly harsh of ourselves from time to time, this behavior can quickly grow into a negative mindset. Here are some tricks you can discuss with your friend to keep their spirits elevated and optimistic:
Begin using a gratitude journal daily. Utilize positive affirmations and mantras regularly. Consume uplifting music, media and imagery. Limit your time spent with negative individuals who minimize your progress. Consider meditative practices and deep-breathing techniques. Devote time for recovery wellness at the end of each day. Encourage Physical Activity
While keeping step-3 in mind, we must encourage our friend to take a newfound interest in their physical strength and stamina. Sure, building biceps and ripped abdominals are impressive, but being able to move through life with minimal effort while using a prosthetic is awe-inspiring!
Although each patient has a unique set of circumstances, getting in the gym and building their strength is paramount for a fulfilled and active lifestyle. Frameworks such as resistance training, yoga, pilates and calisthenics are efficient for helping post-prosthetic patients gain normality in their lives once more.
While life after a prosthetic may be different than in previous years, it’s not the end! Encourage your friend to explore their new limits and challenge themselves daily. By implementing the tactics and strategies listed above, your friend will soar to new heights and become aware of how strong they are, mentally and physically.


Budget 2022 for Pharmaceutical sector
As the sun rose on the morning of February 1, 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced Pharma as the sunrise opportunity sector. She placed immense confidence and reinforced the Government’s commitment in the sector to drive the growth, income, and employment opportunities in the country. Aligning to the vision of the environment, sustainability, and governance, the sector will assist in the upscaling of sustainable development, modernizing the country while reducing imports, and driving India on the path of Atmanirbharta.
India@100 envisions herself as being the R&D hub in terms of pharmaceuticals. It aims to adopt and adapt to high-end futuristic technologies. There has been a continuous demand from the Indian pharma industry to incentivize research and innovation in the sector. To steer the innovation in the sector, the government reiterated its confidence in the private sector’s expertise and skills. A blended finance mechanism with a 20% share of the Government, along with management of funds by private fund managers has been proposed to boost Manufacturing, R&D and Innovation in the sector. This will drive the sector to be the originator of futuristic technologies, having a ripple effect in aligning the sector to more sustainable manufacturing with a focus on biopharma as the core. Currently, the Indian pharmaceutical sector is the third-largest in terms of volume and fourteenth in terms of value. A major thrust on R&D will put the sector on the road to being a high-value sector, with innovation in sustainable products and smart manufacturing helping India achieve its goal of reducing its carbon footprint.
This has been authored by
Shreya Mishra.


From the Desk of John Snyder, Net Friends CEO: I am proud to announce that as of April 2022, all eight individuals on Net Friends’ Leadership Team achieved their certification in IT Service Management. We made the decision at the start of this year to study and pass our ITIL exam as a team.
Our main motivation was to ensure that our leaders worked from a shared framework on service management best practices. The lessons we learned and the ideas generated from this certification experience have significantly increased our capabilities to deliver exceptional customer service.
Years from now, I am confident that we’re going to look back at this decision as a key foundation to our continued success.
By focusing on a common set of guiding principles, we are leading Net Friends to optimally manage risk, create value, and increase productivity. Our Leadership Team recognized that the complexity of modern IT environments require trained professionals to deliver consistent results. After exploring a few options (Six Sigma, COBIT, ISO 20000), we zeroed in on the IT Information Library framework, or ITIL. Our history with ITIL contributed to this unanimous commitment, since we observed how two Net Friends technicians gained outstanding value and insights from enrolling in ITIL courses back in 2013. Additionally, a significant update to the ITIL framework came out in 2019 that modernized the concepts to include more considerations to supply chain management, Software as a Service (SaaS), and Agile project management concepts – all of which delivered significant benefits to us as we also learned more modern management strategies. The major determining factor that sealed our commitment to ITIL was our adoption of a new Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform that is constructed around its principles. The baseline configuration and system in our PSA tool were all based on ITIL terms, methods, and concepts. We determined that by learning ITIL together, we could more fully harness our PSA tool and more effectively implement it throughout the company.
When we began studying together, our Leadership Team worked from the same training materials and participated in multiple discussion sessions. The insights that were unlocked from the first sessions were so impactful and invigorating, we all made room on our schedules for additional discussions.
While we all gained knowledge about optimizing service management, we were also learning more about how our leadership peers were approaching their role and decisions. We bonded and grew as a team through this process.
For our customers, this focus on becoming certified in IT Service Management manifests value in so many ways. For one, their
support requests and technology needs are now optimally handled by both a well-integrated system and an effective team leveraging that system. Our customers benefit from the Leadership Team being challenged and inspired by the emphasis in ITIL to create value for our customers. This is a well-aligned commitment that we readily embraced. We were given tools and ideas by our training to deliver positive outcomes and help our customers thrive. This training helped us unlock a high-level view of the entire service value chain (see below) and facilitates our strategy to generate value throughout. I look forward to highlighting and reporting on more ITIL-inspired actions and positive decisions in the months and years ahead.
WHAT TO READ NEXT:- Net Friends Receives SOC 2 Type II Attestation for Third Year
- Net Friends CEO Named to Information Technology Advisory Committee at Durham Tech
- Beyond the Hybrid Work Model with Anywhere Operations


Geo-blocking is censorship technology limiting access to online content per jurisdiction. Geo-censorship bots have the intelligence to scrutinize your computer or phone’s IP address to block or give a pass. Websites block user access per geo-location depending on copyright, licensing, or red tape rules on the play. A gambling website will block users from regions they don’t have a license to operate in, like streaming platforms. News websites put jurisdiction blocks or paywalls on some or all articles in adherence with copyright or red tape rules.
Table of Contents
How Does Geo-Blocking Work and How to Avoid It
Geo-blocking utilizes responsive geo-location and tracking technologies to check the Internet Protocol (IP) address a device uses to access geo-censored websites. A device’s IP address is its location identifier. It’s what websites check to determine your current location to authorize or deny a search request. Your IP address is not static as it changes when your location and ISP address changes. That said, a computer user browsing from a geo-locked location can still access censored website content when they use the right tools. So which tools or services can you use to bypass geo-blocks? Let’s find out.
Tor Browser
Tor browser is free, open-source software that prioritizes your security and anonymity. The software was created with the user’s privacy in mind, making it impossible for websites to track your internet activities. The browser is used globally by over two million people every day. When you send a search request on the Tor browser, it directs the traffic to a worldwide volunteer overlay network with thousands of relays. That hides your location from traffic analysis and network surveillance bots.
If you come across a blog, article, news, podcast, or video website with a geo-blocking feature, use the Tor browser to bypass it. Through its onion routing technology, the browser provides multi-layers of encryption, masking the source and destination of search requests. Tor browser does not have complex setup or multi-configuration functions that require technical skills and knowledge. Just download and install the browser to access geo-censored websites.
Proxy Servers
Proxies are the safest and surest tools for bypassing geo-censorship. They can bypass multi-layer geo-blocking walls regardless of the robustness of the technology used. Although there are free and shared proxies, they are not secure and may leak your IP address. Also, free proxy servers may not have a kill switch, so they will reveal your identity once the network disconnects.
Paid proxies are strongly recommended as they have multi-layer security and anonymity features to keep your identity private regardless of the circumstances. Most subscription or pay-per-service proxy servers have a kill switch and other crucial features that terminate your connection immediately after the proxy server develops issues.
Additionally, pay-per-service proxy servers offer high uptimes and increased internet speeds to ensure you can stream those movies or access those websites fast and smoothly. However, not all paid proxies are equal, but researching the credibility and excellence of a proxy server provider can save you from the wrong providers. Are you searching for reasonably priced proxies to bypass Canadian geo-blocks? Order Canada proxies now for seamless connections!
Smart DNS
The last free but technical way to bypass geo-censored websites is smart DNS. Smart DNS is not the same as proxies or VPNs, as you might have been made to believe. Most smart TVs and smart decoders have integrated smart DNS. However, setting up a smart DNS server on these devices to bypass geo-restrictions is not a simple process. The complex settings adjustments and DNS configurations aren’t for the fainthearted.
Smart DNS redirects your DNS queries via a remote server, concealing your true identity. They switch the local DNS address issued by your internet provider to those of the smart DNS server. That ensures the device website or platform you connect to cannot identify your IP address. Some proxy and VPN providers offer free or paid Smart DNS, but you can access them for free on modern smart devices.
Conclusion
Are you blocked from streaming movies or accessing content online because of your location? Don’t worry. The right tool, especially a proxy server or Tor browser, will let you access the geo-blocked content within minutes. However, before deciding which method to use in bypassing geo-blocks, know your budget and needs. Tor browser is free and won’t affect your internet speed, but it cannot bypass all websites. Proxies are paid but offer extra layers of protection and anonymity.


Digitalization based on emerging technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Blockchain, and Robotics Process Automation (RPA) has extensively transformed the logistics industry. From driver assistance to conditional automation and even full capacity self-driving, these technologies are being embedded in vehicles. Autonomous Vehicles capable of cruise control and driverless navigation are disrupting supply chain operations. Driven by progressive technologies, they are exceeding performance expectations through optimized logistics operations, timely delivery, and advanced analytics.
IoT based Autonomous Vehicles work through sensors, RFID tracking tools, and connected devices for precise on-time shipment delivery. These freight technology solutions facilitate end-to-end interaction across the supply chain. Carrier service providers and mobility companies are leveraging automatic identification and predictive analytics to optimize costs and enhance the customer service experience. IoT is assisting fleet owners beyond improved supply chain operations by offering them remote access to quality control features.
IoT Transforming the Supply Chain Industry
IoT is powering Autonomous vehicles with self-diagnostics, asset tracking, remote monitoring, theft prevention, efficient dynamic route planning, and automated cargo loading-unloading. The IoT led transformations of the supply chain industry include:
1. Enhanced safety on the road with self-driven trucks and improved efficiency through the platooning of inter-connected autonomous vehicles.
2. Accurately tracking key expense parameters such as location, traffic projection, speed, and vehicle maintenance.
3. Better customer service with on-time delivery with real-time tracking and maintaining products in good condition.
4. Streamlining supply chain operations while monitoring assets, securing analytical data, and offering personalized customer experience.
Global freight companies are investing heavily in technology-driven logistics solutions. As per them, IoT-driven and GPS-enabled devices are competent in tracking and authenticating shipments preventing their loss and damage. According to a survey conducted by Statista in 2017, around 36% of respondents favored the use of predictive analytics. They consider it a significant innovation driver in the industry.
Building Resilient Supply Chains through IoT
IoT enabled Autonomous Vehicles are capable of optimizing carrier capacities, reducing wastage, and maintaining costs. It empowers transport and logistics companies to cater to the evolving customer needs driven by urgency and price-sensitivity. They help create a leaner supply chain by assisting in the following ways:
Convenient location tracking of goods at rest and in transit. Identification of factors leading to delay in delivery and rectifying them. Real-time shipment condition assessment in terms of pressure, temperature, and contamination to maintain quality and freshness. Predictive analysis and planning of service demand for optimally scaling business operations. Informed route planning and in-time re-routing to ensure timely delivery. Identifying reasons for the delay in consignment arrival such as poor weather, excessive traffic, unfriendly road conditions, and communicating route changes to the stakeholders. Delivery and distribution of products to prescribed destinations. Quicker border crossing with pre-approved documentation and remote operation of the vehicle. Effective management of business operations and boosting employee productivity. Conclusion
The exponentially increasing adoption rates of semi and fully autonomous vehicles have successfully established the growing importance of IoT as a revolutionary technology in the logistics industry. In response to a survey by ABI Research, 40% of respondents identify Freight as a Service (FaaS) as a key transformational trend. They predict it will represent at least 30% of US total goods transportation revenues by 2030. Experts foresee the expansion of FaaS in the next phase of IoT innovations. Logistics companies are gearing up for a fully automated goods delivery system using autonomous vehicles and drones. Leveraging IoT benefits will help companies maximize profitability and ensure a larger number of secure on-time deliveries. Undoubtedly, disruptive technologies such as IoT-based autonomous vehicles will rattle the supply chains with the manifold benefits worth looking forward to.
Published in Telematics Wire


Advancing Access
® is more than a co-pay card 9 out of 10 people enrolled in the Gilead Advancing Access Co-pay program pay less than $5 per month for DESCOVY FOR PrEP ®* † Live support is available for eligible individuals Benefits investigationHelp research and verify the individual’s insurance coverage for their prescribed Gilead medication and receive information on in-network pharmacy restrictions. Prior authorization informationProvides information if individual’s insurance company requires the completion of a Prior Authorization for Gilead medication. Provides follow-up with health insurers regarding the status of a Prior Authorization request and sends updates on information needed to HCP office, upon request. Medication Assistance Program eligibility screeningIndividuals who lack insurance coverage and meet the program criteria, they may be eligible to receive Gilead medication free of charge. Co-pay supportThe Gilead Co-pay Coupon Card may help eligible, commercially insured individuals lower their out-of-pocket costs.* People enrolled in government prescription drug programs, such as Medicare Part D and Medicaid, are not eligible for the co-pay coupon. Restrictions may apply. Subject to change.
Don’t let cost be the barrier once you have decided DESCOVY FOR PrEP is the appropriate HIV prevention choice for an eligible individual.
Advancing Access specialists can help provide insurance information support, including determining prior authorization and appeals process requirements, and connecting people to available resources to help them navigate coverage.
They can also help individuals prescribed DESCOVY to understand and navigate health insurance and Gilead medication costs. For more information, you can direct individuals to visit GileadAdvancingAccess.com or call 1-800-226-2056.
*Co-pay coupon support is available for commercially insured, eligible individuals only. Additional restrictions may apply. Subject to change; for full terms and conditions, visit gileadadvancingaccess.com/copay-coupon-card. This is not health insurance. Only accepted at participating pharmacies.
†Source: Data from TrialCard ®; 05/31/2020 to 04/30/22.


The CAN-AIM team develops novel methods, using prospective longitudinal cohorts, to study drug safety and effectiveness.
The CAnadian Network for Advanced Interdisciplinary Methods for comparative effectiveness research’ (CAN-AIM) team was selected by Canadian Agency of Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) as a collaborator for their Post-Market Drug Evaluation Network (PMDE). CAN-AIM was previously funded by the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network (DSEN) through a partnership between CIHR and Health Canada (2011-2022). Our mandate is to enhance the validity and accuracy of research on drugs’ comparative effectiveness and safety.
Comparative effectiveness research compares existing therapies to understand which treatment works best for which patients and, additionally, which treatments pose the greatest harm. To do so, CAN-AIM responds to queries from regulatory bodies on the drug safety and efficacy of medications on conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. CAN-AIM also responds to queries focusing on drug use patterns, pharmacoeconomic analyses, patient preferences, and prescription patterns.
Since 2011, CAN-AIM has undertaken successful collaborations between our researchers (providing clinical and methodological expertise and efficient access to data sources) and the policymakers (from Health Canada and other agencies), who use the knowledge we generate. Our approach uses both clinical and population-based cohorts and administrative data to produce timely answers to queries. This combined approach’s critical advantage is that while administrative databases provide longitudinal information on drug exposure and morbidities, it typically lacks data on essential confounders, such as life habits and clinical variables. However, many prospective cohorts available to our team often provide detailed clinical and laboratory data on confounders typically not measured in the administrative databases. Our innovative methodologies use these two data sets to explore and understand the resulting associations and risks more fully.


Legal overviews
In our recent article, we discussed the trends and prospects of taxation in respect to international IT companies, including the introduction of a minimum tax rate (global tax) as set by G20 member states.
At the same time, recent discussion showed that global tax rules would apply not only to the IT industry, including such companies as Google, Meta (aka Facebook) and Apple, but also to multinational enterprises specializing in various areas. As expected, the main criterion for applying these rules will be a certain threshold of revenue and sales of a corporation.
The idea of introducing a global tax as a remedy for tax abuse by multinational enterprises has been under discussion in the international community for quite a long time. As a result of years of work, the OECD developed a project on introducing a global tax at a rate of 15%, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury proposed to implement it in May 2021. Later, such initiative was supported during the discussion among G7 member states.
The latest development on this topic was a resolution by state leaders at the G20 summit in Rome on October 30-31 this year, which approved the final decision of the OECD on introducing a global tax. It is expected that in 2022, 136 countries (including Russia) will sign a convention obliging them to implement its provisions at the national level by 2023.
Currently, the following conditions are agreed in respect of the global tax:
for companies with global revenue exceeding EUR 750 million, minimum profit tax rate will comprise 15%, as the U.S. initially proposed; multinational enterprises with global sales exceeding EUR 20 billion and profitability above 10% will have to pay tax in the jurisdictions where they earn most of their profits, regardless of whether the firms have a physical presence there.
Please note that according to the OECD statement, the convention will also require countries that have already adopted local digital taxes and other similar measures to remove or to commit not to introduce in the future other laws and taxes that may conflict with these rules.
We are now eagerly awaiting the full text of the global tax convention, which will be published at the end of November. / The full text of the global tax convention was published in November. We will continue to monitor the developments and keep you updated about taxation of international companies and the IT industry.


Friends of the Earth Applauds Child Nutrition Measures to Increase Plant-Based School Meal and Beverage Options WASHINGTON – Today, the House Committee on Labor and Education introduced the “Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act” Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation. The bill, which is expected to be marked up in committee before Congress leaves for August recess, includes groundbreaking provisions that: Increase meal reimbursement rates to school districts and expand access to school meals, including summer meals; Create a new $10 million pilot grant program to support plant-based school meals; Reduce food loss and waste through a new pilot grants program; Enhance the ability of school districts to pursue values-driven food procurement; and Remove barriers for students to access nutritionally appropriate beverage options.
The inclusion of the plant-based school meal pilot program in the legislation follows a year-long campaign for the Healthy Future Students and Earth Act, a bill cosponsored by 38 members of Congress and endorsed by 120+ organizations. Earlier this year, Grammy award winning artist Billie Eilish and food justice and climate activist Maggie Baird spoke at a Capitol Hill briefing in support of the legislation.
Chloë Waterman, senior program manager for Food and Agriculture at Friends of the Earth, made the following statement:
In the midst of supply chain and labor challenges, worsening climate change, and ongoing child hunger, the Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act meets the moment. This visionary legislation recognizes the importance of investing in the health of our children and the planet they will inherit. We applaud Chairman Scott for introducing this Act and urge the committee to swiftly advance it to the House floor.
Friends of the Earth is especially thrilled to see the inclusion of a new voluntary grant program to support schools meet the increased student demand for climate-friendly, plant-based meal options. We are also grateful for provisions to remove barriers for students to access plant-based milk options, which is crucial for ensuring equity in our school meal program. Thank you to Representatives Velázquez, Bowman, Espaillat, and Wilson for championing these measures, as well as the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Communications contact: Kerry Skiff, [email protected], 202-222-0723


On May 17, the Malian government released a televised statement claiming that soldiers attempted to stage a coup against Interim President Assimi Goïta on the evening of May 11–12. The statement provided few details, simply claiming that the perpetrators were “anti-progressive” soldiers backed by a Western state to “break the revolution.” Ten individuals were allegedly detained, including Colonel Amadou Keita, an officer close to the ruling junta. Security measures in the capital, Bamako, were increased.
Observers were skeptical. They pointed to the vague nature of the allegations and a lack of troop movement on the evening of May 11. A French diplomatic source claims that the allegations serve as little more than a pretext to antagonize the French government (as the implied Western state). Others claim that the allegations help Goïta to consolidate his authority in the face of rising dissatisfaction in the military.
Ambiguities aside, CoupCast’s political forecasts for this past May reveal that Mali faced a significant coup risk. CoupCast relies on machine learning and information on historical legacies and contemporary developments to generate monthly estimates of a coup in every country. The type of information fed into the model comes from well-established findings in coup research. For instance, coups are more likely in countries with historical legacies of coup attempts, those experiencing periods of economic downturn and food instability, and those headed by military governments or fledgling democracies.
Based on these features, last month’s estimates (shown below) suggest it is unsurprising that a coup attempt would have occurred in Mali. The West African country ranked second only to Sudan as the world’s most at-risk country.
Just last year, Mali experienced a successful coup that resulted in Colonel Goita coming to power. Only nine months before that, Malian soldiers removed President Ibrahim Keïta. Military interventions have consistently occurred in Mali, which has experienced around 8 coup attempts since independence in 1960. These events have served both as catalysts for democratization (March 1991’s coup) and as its foil (March 2012’s coup).
CoupCast also considers ongoing armed conflicts and economic conditions when determining coup risk—both big challenges in Mali. The Malian government has been combatting a jihadist insurgency for more than 10 years. Last May’s coup worsened the struggle with rebel forces, who have perpetrated recent attacks against UN peacekeepers and Red Cross employees across the Sahel. Mali’s economy is also hurting. The 2020 recession led to stagnating per capita GDP, which is projected to increase poverty throughout this year. Growth since 2021 has been mainly caused by a rebound in consumption, an expansion of growing inflationary pressures, and a worsening hunger crisis across the continent. This crisis has been compounded by COVID-19 and by the surging food prices due to the war in Ukraine.
While Mali faces a high coup risk relative to the rest of the world, its overall risk has fluctuated since last year’s power-grab, shown below. October and February’s peaks are likely driven by CoupCast’s sensitivity to election dates. This is relevant given that both scheduled elections in October and February were directly voided as the result of previous coups. After Keïta’s downfall in August 2020, the coupists announced a two-year transition, effectively voiding the original October 2021 election. However, the May 2021 coup reset the transitional process, voiding the election scheduled for February 2022. The country’s next elections are scheduled to be held in 2026.
The trail of coups has taken a toll on Mali’s foreign relations. Since the 2021 coup, the ruling junta has faced backlash from France and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over the power grab and proposed 5-year transition to civilian rule. France is set to leave its defense agreement with Mali, which served to assist against the insurgency, by summer’s end. The decision was made partly because of concerns over free speech and other freedoms in Mali following the coup leaders’ decision to indefinitely suspend Radio France International (RFI) and France24. Similarly, ECOWAS has imposed a trade embargo and sanctions on Mali in response to the junta’s delaying of elections, a strategy used against other coup-inflicted states such as Guinea and Burkina Faso. Though designed to put pressure on the junta to hold elections, these measures may inadvertently spark a counter-coup by rival factions in the military.
Presently, Mali’s coup-ripe conditions show no sign of subsiding as we move through June, as the preliminary estimate shows below. Despite its slight dip in overall coup risk from May, Mali is estimated to be the world’s most at-risk country this month. Whether an actual coup will occur remains to be seen, but observers would do well to keep their eyes open.
Avery Reyna is a Social Sciences Undergraduate Student at the University of Central Florida. Salah Ben Hammou is a Security Studies Ph.D. Student at the University of Central Florida.


This research explores how staff members that teach or support learning conceptualise their beliefs about teaching and learning. It examines how these beliefs relate to the scholarly literature and broader indicators of teaching quality at institutional, national and international levels (including the UK Professional Standards Framework). Over 200 teaching philosophy statements from a diverse range of academics and professional staff have been analysed as part of the project.
Erin O’Connor (QUT-Health), Richard Evans (QUT-Science & Engineering Faculty)


Abstract
In Australia, the numbers and rates of Indigenous incarcerations continue their long-term increase, particularly in the Northern Territory where a third of the population are Indigenous. In this paper, we provide theoretical discourse on incarceration as a form of mobility and demonstrate the demographic scale of impacts for small and remote communities using indirect estimation methods. Results reveal significant proportions, especially those aged 20–39 years, may be missing and mobile through incarceration. Overlaid onto pre-existing high population churn, effects on immobile community members contribute to intergenerational demographic, social and economic dysfunction and point to the need for innovative solutions.


The role of membrane vesicles for archaeal virus-host interactions
Prokaryotic membrane vesicles (MVs), also described as extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the literature, are nano-sized (10-300nm) spherical structures, derived from the cell surface. By current understanding they are associated with various crucial functions mostly related to the communication of cells with their environment and have also been shown to play significant roles for virus-host interactions.
Almost nothing is known about the existence and the physiological role of MVs in the third domain of life, Archaea. This project will focus on both, the influence of viruses on MV production in halophilic archaea (haloarchaea) and the role of MVs produced by haloarchaea in virus-host interactions.
Thereby, we expect to elucidate whether and to which extent MVs play a role for archaeal virus-host interactions and significantly enhance our understanding of virus-host interactions in prokaryotes.
Erdmann, S., Tschitschko, B., Zhong, L., Raftery M. & Cavicchioli R. A plasmid from an Antarctic haloarchaeon uses specialized membrane vesicles to disseminate and infect plasmid-free cells. Nat. Microbiol. 2:1446-1455 (2017).
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Post:Ucchvas What Is Physiotherapy? Physiotherapy treats disease, injury, or malformations using physical methods such as massage, joint manipulation, or any other technique that isn't invasive or requiring surgery. A physiotherapist offers advice and assistance to those who are disabled, injured, sick, or have suffered an injury. The key feature of physiotherapy lies in its holistic approach to well-being and treatment. This focuses on the entire person and their general health. Physiotherapy's goal is to assist individuals in remaining independent and contributing as active citizens of society. Most Common Techniques in Physiotherapy Techniques used in physiotherapy involve using hands to massage, move and mobilize the tissues. This allows for the relief of pain and stiffness as well as increased blood circulation. It also promotes movement and relaxation. These techniques include: Massages to stimulate your soft tissues Techniques for soft tissue like myofascial release and stretching Joint mobilization and manipul are techniques that use the gliding motion of the joint to increase function and control. Handcrafted instruments are used for physiotherapy instrument mobilization. Minimal energy technologies (METs) use muscle's natural energy to relax and extend the muscles. This is done through either reciprocal or autogenic inhibition. Osteopathy, acupuncture and kinesiology


The language, words and phrases in cybersecurity job vacancies create impressions, beliefs, and prejudices discouraging people to apply for a post or getting involved in the cybersecurity field or participating in cyber exercises or operations. Strong words like “cyber fighters”, “cyberwar”, “cyber soldier”, “cyber defender”, “cybersecurity leaders”, “cybersecurity officers” are associated with physical strength, vitality, heroic/brave characters, prudence, and patriotic motives. Although these traits are relevant for military officers and traditional soldiers, they are irrelevant for being a cybersecurity expert or a sophisticated attacker.
These strong and discriminating words discourage talented people from various Groups At Risk of Discrimination (GARDs) (e.g., disabled people, women, non-binary, minorities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community) to join the cybersecurity workforce. Using words like “young” discriminates against older people, ignoring their skills, experiences, talents, commitment, and capabilities necessary for the cybersecurity analytical tasks.
We need to avoid such bias language in cybersecurity that offend and discriminate, excluding real talents to get involved. Our cybersecurity language needs to unite, inspire, and include all people with cybersecurity enthusiasm regardless of their gender, age, nationality and/or physical abilities.
Offensive and bias language threatens the European cybersecurity workforce, that needs all the talents available, increases the shortage of cybersecurity skills needed, jeopardizes the trustworthiness of our Digital Single Market (DSM), the security of the EU industry, public peace, order and European solidarity. Extensive regulatory and policy work has been conducted to provide clear guidelines at regulatory and institutional level (e.g., regulations 2000/78/EC, 2006/54/EC, 2000/43/EC, 2002/73/EC, 1975/117/EC) and initiatives (e.g., IWD #BiasCorrect, GSNI) accelerating awareness, implementation and adoption of non-bias in the EU workplaces.
These regulations need to apply to the cybersecurity workforce and workplaces as well.
The European cybersecurity communities in academia, market, military and government need to be inclusive, characterized by the European values not contaminated with biased language, which excludes cybersecurity expertise, puts a burden on our digital societies by restricting individual rights, human dignity and equality. Cybersecurity experts (analysts, testers, assessors, threat agents, white or black hackers) have distinct personality, behavioural, social, motivational and technical traits as described in the article by Kioskli K, & Polemi N. “Psychosocial approach to cyber threat intelligence”.
Personality Traits Description & Examples Extraversion Gregariousness (e.g., social engagement in attackers’ groups; Assertiveness/Outspokenness (e.g., Leadership skills); Activity/Energy level (e.g., Enjoys a busy life); Positive Emotions/Mood (e.g., Happiness) Conscientiousness Orderliness/Neatness (e.g., Well-organized); Striving/Perseverance (e.g., Aims to achieve excellence); Self-Discipline (e.g., Persistent engagement to goals); Dutifulness/Carefulness (e.g., Strong sense of duty); Self-Efficacy (e.g., Confidence to achieve goals) Openness to experiences Intellect/Creativity Imaginative (e.g., Intellectual style); Scientifically Interested/Originality (e.g., Evidence-based); Adventurousness (e.g., Experiences of different things) Cognition Knowledge (e.g., Collecting information for the topic of interest); Expectations (e.g., Evaluating strengths and possible outcomes); Attitudes (e.g., Acting based on knowledge and expectations) Social – Behavioral Traits Description & Examples Selected social exposure Difficult to adapt to conventional social norms (e.g., Events); Easy to build virtual anonymous, professional relationships (e.g., Using anonymous identity has contacts with other attackers in the Deep Web); Easy to build strong e-bonds in hacking communities (e.g., These communities are closed to the public) Not conventional relationships Difficult to build physical relationships or contacts; Easy to build professional (with other attackers) virtual, anonymous relationships under their moral code (us versus them approach) Not talkative Difficult to initiate small casual talks or social talks
Difficult to express him/herself
Manipulative Easy manipulating people via electronic means (e.g., phishing) Technical Traits Description & Examples Networking skills Knowledge in network architectures, systems, functional and operational aspects (e.g., DNS, HCP) IT skills Competencies in operating systems (e.g., languages, software and emerging technologies, programming) Soft skills Problem Solver (e.g., Understand, analyze and solve difficult problems)
Social observer (e.g., Audits security behaviors)
Forensics skills Know how to use security scripts, forensics tools (e.g., Intrusion detection/penetration tools) Available resources Available computing power (e.g., Owns/access to high computer processing power), devices, time, economic support security communities Privileges Insider (e.g., Works in the organization with significant /limited/no access)
Outsider (e.g., supply chain partner with significant limited/no access)
Outsider-Third party (e.g., vendor/manufacturer with indirect or no access)
Targeted Information/ measurements gathered about the targets; (e.g., CVSS), knowledge in effective attacks Motivational & Social Traits Description & Examples Political Political power (e.g., Espionage, fake news) Personal Personal satisfaction, feeling of accomplishment, boredom, competition, economic gain Cultural Whistleblower (warns of any digital wrongdoings) Philosophical Humanitarian/activist/theological goals (e.g., Stealing for societal benefit) Trigger Traits Description & Examples Vulnerable assets Open ports (e.g., Zero-day vulnerability)
New non-certified technologies (e.g., App, AI systems)
Human weaknesses/errors Vulnerable infrastructures (e.g., No access control in data center)
Unintentional human error (e.g., Distracted administrator)
Intentional human error (e.g., Reckless but knowledge of risk)
The above traits are irrelevant to gender, age, nationality, physical ability, or any person in the GUARD. Safeguarding balanced and inclusive speech in the postings for cybersecurity opportunities (e.g., scholarships), job posts, job duties, operational activities will attract more talented people !


Description
The power to be in position fast. The Auto-Adjust Toggle Clamp series from BESSEY brings significant and positive innovation to the toggle clamp market. First, clamping force can be adjusted within a range of 25 lbs. - 550 lbs. of pressure with the turn of an integrated pressure screw. Second, the clamp will auto-adjust to varying work piece heights without significant change in applied clamping force. Third, the holding capacity of the BESSEY toggle clamp series is quite high, up to 700 lbs. of holding capacity. The combination of these features presents a strong argument for cost-savings, enhanced productivity and greater workplace safety. BESSEY toggle clamps can replace a broad range of competitive toggle clamp styles when a range of clamping force and capacity is required. This means lower tool inventories and enhanced set-up time. The clamps are also perceived to be safer for real-world applications where variations in work piece height can lead to applied clamping force being too high or too low (with the resulting safety hazards these conditions present). Ideal for job-shop operations or short-run set-ups; the BESSEY Auto-Adjust Toggle Clamps add value to any operation. BESSEY Simply better.
Adjustable clamping force the integrated clamping force adjustment screw can be used to create an actually applied clamping force from 25 lbs. to 550 lbs. (MAX holding capacity 700 lbs.) BESSEY auto-adjust toggle clamp automatically adjusts to variations in work piece dimensions while maintaining constant clamping force No more time-consuming manual adjustment of the spindle height to maintain safe and correct clamping force 1 BESSEY auto-adjust toggle clamp can replace a range of competitive clamps A removable non-marring plastic cap is included on the steel pressure pads Mounting hole pattern designed for versatility Payment & Security
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Centrifuge Market: Microfluidic Device Design Works as Mini Centrifuge Machines for Enhanced Drug Development Centrifuge Market: Introduction
According to the report, the global
centrifuge market was valued at ~ US$ 1 Bn in 2019 and is projected to expand at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period. Centrifuge can be defined as a machine employing a rotating container, which applies centrifugal forces on the contents, aiding in the separation of fluids of differing densities. It works on the principle of sedimentation, wherein the centrifugal force aids in outward movement of denser substances and particles in radial direction. The global centrifuge market is driven by growth of the life sciences industry, increase in the number of clinical & diagnostic laboratories, rise in the number of infectious diseases, and surge in the demand for blood component separation.
North America dominated the global centrifuge market in
2018 and the trend is anticipated to continue during the forecast period. Early adoption of new technologies, large base of pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies, and well-established healthcare infrastructure are factors anticipated to drive the market in the region. Request Brochure of Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=77122 Rise in Demand for Blood Components
Hemophilia is the most common bleeding disorder. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hemophilia A affects 1 in 5,000 male births and each year about 400 babies are born with hemophilia A in the U.S. Hence, rise in prevalence of bleeding disorders and increase in number of surgeries drive demand for blood and blood components. This is likely to propel the global centrifuge market. Moreover, surge in concerns regarding blood safety is anticipated to drive the global market.
Equipment Segment Dominated Global Market
In terms of product, the equipment segment is likely to account for major share of the global centrifuge market during the forecast period. Growth of the segment can be attributed to rise in applications of multipurpose centrifuges and microcentrifuges. Technological advances focused on enhancing convenience, compactness, safety, and accuracy contribute to the growth of the segment. However, long lifespan of these instruments, which last for over 15 years, reduces the need of replacement.
Request for Analysis of the COVID19 Impact on Centrifuge Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=covid19&rep_id=77122 General Purpose Centrifuges to Lead Global Market
In terms of intended use, the general purpose centrifuges segment is projected to account for major share of the global centrifuge market during the forecast period. Growth of the segment can be attributed to various applications of these centrifuges in cellular research and significant growth in the diagnosis rate of blood related diseases.
Centrifuge Market: Prominent Regions
The global centrifuge market has been segmented into four major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World. North America dominated the global centrifuge market in
2018. The U.S. was the major market for centrifuges in the region in 2018. Well established healthcare infrastructure and presence of key players with strong focus on research & development are the key factors anticipated to boost the growth of the market in the U.S. Moreover, availability of clinical and diagnostic laboratories with integrated technologies is expected fuel the growth of the market in North America. Request for Custom Research - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=77122
The centrifuge market in Asia Pacific is projected to expand at a high CAGR from
2020 to 2030 driven by developing countries such as China and India. Rise in focus of market players on strengthening presence in emerging economies in order to leverage growth opportunities propels the market in Asia Pacific. Additionally, rise in prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases leading to increase in the number of tests being conducted, surge in demand for access to quality health care, increase in per capita healthcare expenditure, and rise in awareness about preventive health care contribute to the growth of the centrifuge market in the region. Product Launches and Strategic Acquisitions by Key Players to Propel Global Market
The global centrifuge market is fragmented in terms of number of players. Key players operating in the global centrifuge market are
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Danaher Corporation, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), Sartorius AG, Eppendorf AG, QIAGEN, KUBOTA Corporation, NuAire, Sigma Laborzentrifugen GmbH, and Andreas Hettich GmbH & Co. KG, among others. About Us
Transparency Market Research is a next-generation market intelligence provider, offering fact-based solutions to business leaders, consultants, and strategy professionals.
Our reports are single-point solutions for businesses to grow, evolve, and mature. Our real-time data collection methods along with ability to track more than one million high growth niche products are aligned with your aims. The detailed and proprietary statistical models used by our analysts offer insights for making right decision in the shortest span of time. For organizations that require specific but comprehensive information we offer customized solutions through ad hoc reports. These requests are delivered with the perfect combination of right sense of fact-oriented problem solving methodologies and leveraging existing data repositories.
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Issue: Enforceability of limitation and waiver of liability clauses in a teaming agreement, after parties have entered into a subcontract. URS Corp. v. Transpo Group, Inc. United States District Court for the Western District of Washington (2015). Summary: On a design-‐build highway project, the design-‐builder, Flatiron, withheld payment from the lead design firm, URS, asserting that certain signs that were part of the project failed to meet project criteria. URS in turn withheld payment from the sign consultant, Transpo. Eventually URS sued Transpo, contending that deficiencies in Transpo’s services had resulted in damages of about $1.5 million.
During the project formation stage, URS and Transpo had entered into a teaming agreement for the pursuit of the work on the project. This teaming agreement included a clause waiving consequential and indirect damages, indicating that the
clause would survive the termination or expiration of the teaming agreement. Subsequently, Flatiron awarded the design work to URS, and URS entered into a subagreement with Transpo regarding sign-‐related services. The subagreement did not contain a waiver similar to the one in the teaming agreement, and contained a typical integration clause asserting that the subagreement superseded all prior agreements regarding the same subject matter. As the litigation commenced, the court was called upon to decide whether the limitation on liability in the teaming agreement applied as a defense to URS’s claim for damages.
Decision: The court pointed out that whether the damages that URS sought from Transpo were indeed consequential or indirect damages, in whole or in part, was an issue that was not before the court, and would need to be determined in a different proceeding.
The court concluded that the subject matter of the teaming agreement and the subagreement were not the same—the teaming agreement involved pursuit of the work, and the subagreement involved the provision of sign-‐related services. If the subject matter of two contracts is not the same, the integration clause of the second contract will not supersede the first; rather, the second contract must expressly revoke and supersede the first contract, by name. This had not been done in the subagreement. The court’s final conclusion was that the because the teaming agreement does not cover the same subject matter as the subagreement, the teaming agreement’s provisions regarding limitations on damages survive and “may be applicable” to the URS-‐Transpo dispute.
Comment: Like many interim court decisions, this one is somewhat unsatisfying. Even if the court is correct that the teaming agreement provisions survive, do they in fact apply to the dispute? Typically the limitation provisions in a teaming agreement would apply only to transgressions in seeking an award of contract—why was that point not addressed, rather than merely acknowledging that the provisions “may be applicable”?
In a general way, one might assume that both the teaming agreement and the subagreement do indeed apply to the same subject matter (signs on the highway project) and hence the standard integration clause would be sufficient to supersede the teaming agreement. To avoid results like the one here, the safest course would be to expressly name the teaming agreement and declare it revoked and superseded (perhaps reserving any pending claims, such as disputes over costs incurred in pursuit of the award of contract).


COMPUTER-AIDED-DETECTION (CAD) tools could be utilised by radiologists to augment the detection of pancreatic cancer on CT imaging, according to researchers from the National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer often occurs late, when prognosis is poor. Identifying methods to improve early detection is imperative to reducing the mortality associated with this malignancy. Despite advances in imaging techniques, up to 40% of tumours <2cm in diameter are missed on CT scans.
Focusing on how detection could be improved, a research team from the National Taiwan University developed a deep learning, CAD tool capable of automatically identifying the pancreas and differentiating pancreatic cancers from normal pancreatic tissue with a 90% sensitivity and 93% specificity, without the need for segmentation by a radiologist. Co-senior study author, Weichung Wang, noted that irrespective of stage or size, the tool was able to detect pancreatic cancer at a similar sensitivity to that of experienced radiologists working in a tertiary referral centre.
The tool was developed using scans from 546 patients with pancreatic cancer and 733 control participants with a normal pancreas, and achieved 90% sensitivity and 96% specificity in correctly differentiating pancreatic cancer from normal tissue. Following this, the tool was validated against 1,473 CT scans from several centres in Taiwan, where it achieved 90% sensitivity and 93% specificity in differentiating pancreatic cancers from normal pancreatic tissue. Of note, the tool was also able to identify tumours <2cm in size with a sensitivity of 75%, which is an important area of focus given that prognosis is better when tumours are identified at <2cm.
Looking towards the future, the researchers noted that a limitation of their study was that it did not analyse performance across diverse populations, which is something they hope to achieve. In addition to this, they hope to analyse how the tool performs prospectively in real-world settings. Whilst further studies are required to fully assess the role for tools such as CAD in assisting practicing radiologists, the results from this retrospective analysis are promising, and highlight how artificial intelligence can work to enhance and optimise the detection of pancreatic cancer.


Discover The Boutique Hotel That Centers Accessibility In All Aspects Of Its Design
In an interview with Mélange Magazine, Charlie Hammerman described The Schoolhouse Hotel as his pièce de résistance. As the founder of the Disability Opportunity Fund, a community development financial institution (CDFI), Hammerman began a mission to improve the resources, opportunities, and access of people living with disabilities in 2007. Over the years, he's helped fund and invest in creative, scalable solutions to expand accessibility in education, housing, and employment. 15 years later, his "pièce de résistance" may now change travel for the better, setting new standards for independent hoteliers and hotel chains.
The Schoolhouse Hotel is the world's first boutique hotel that prioritizes the needs of guests with disabilities. While all hotels must provide some accommodations and amenities to comply with America with Disability Act (ADA), these measures often meet the bare minimum of compliance. Instead, to accommodate its guests with disabilities, The Schoolhouse Hotel weaves innovative design, cutting-edge technology, and thoughtful services into every facet of the guest experience.
Designing a fully accessible hotel requires imagination
Located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, The Schoolhouse Hotel opened in May of 2022. As the name suggests, the hotel is a converted 109-year-old schoolhouse and still retains its historical charm and character. It's one thing to build the world's fully accessible hotel. But to transform a century-old building into the global archetype of ADA compliance is another. However, with the assistance of experts, Hammerman was able to do just that.
Throughout the renovation process, Hammerman sought consultation from experts in physical and intellectual disability, as well as from the deaf community, visual impairment experts, and technicians familiar in neurodiversity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 61 million Americans live with a disability. That's roughly 26% of the population with unique needs. Needless to say, it's a feat of both imagination and forethought to create a fully accommodating hotel. However, Genny Freiman, a project manager for the Disability Opportunity Fund, feels that The Schoolhouse Hotel succeeds, describing the rooms and public spaces as both completely accessible in an interview with the Charleston Gazette-Mail.
The Schoolhouse Hotel and its industry-changing amenities
Throughout the hotel, interior designers used cool-range color palettes (blue, green, earth tones) to decorate and avoiding using graphics on interior surfaces. According to Experia, a leader in sensory–appropriate environments, these colors can invoke calm in hypersensitive individuals. While considerate in its décor, the hotel is still undeniably stylish with a vintage chic sensibility that threads the schoolhouse theme.
The front desk features both high and low roll-up counters, and iPads with the Jeenie app are available in the lobby, as well as the restaurant and bar. With a touch of a button, guests with a hearing impairment can interact with staff using American sign language. The hotel's fitness facility and ballrooms also feature cutting-edge technologies and designs to accommodate guest needs.
After settling in, guests can then visit the fully accessible bar and restaurant, which is a testament to both physical convenience and patron consideration. According to Mélange, the bar features three levels — a regular level with a roll-up counter, a lowered level, and a modulated level for the bartender. This allows someone in a wheelchair, the bartender, and a person without a wheelchair to all mingle at eye level. Creating a hotel bar that allows differently abled guests to meet eye-to-eye in West Virginia may not change the world. But it could.


Proxy Season 2022 Yields Two Majority Votes
First Affirmative filed nine proposals this year, and we are pleased to report significant outcomes. Of the four proposals that went to a shareholder vote, two achieved majority support and two garnered over 30%. We were also able to withdraw three proposals after productive dialogues with companies.
The highlights:
Travelers Insurance
A shareholder proposal we lead filed at Travelers Insurance asking for enhanced lobbying disclosures received 52.7% support at the May 2022 annual meeting. We have been in dialogue with Travelers for about five years and filed two previous lobbying shareholder proposals during that time on this issue, both achieving in excess of 40% support. The company made significant improvements during this dialogue in disclosing lobbying done directly by their own staff but remained steadfast in their refusal to disclose trade association membership and spending.
Although the company is not obligated to respond to a majority vote, few companies ignore them, as the issue will continue to surface — and investors have now clearly demonstrated that they consider lobbying delegated to third parties like trade association and other organizations to be a key aspect of lobbying disclosure that cannot be dismissed by companies as insignificant.
We also co- filed two more lobbying proposals, at Walt Disney and at UPS, where the request was specific to how UPS’s climate lobbying aligns with a 1.5° climate scenario. Both achieved well over 30% support.


Surviving the Retail Apocalypse
Retail dies when based solely on the concept of visiting a store for a commodity item. To thrive in today’s market and emerge from the “retail apocalypse,” retailers must innovate and focus on what's important to customers: ease, experience and execution. With more shoppers migrating to online purchases, and others wishing to shop quickly and efficiently in-store, these three E’s allow retailers to meet and exceed consumer expectations, thereby positioning themselves for long-term security.
Ease
Today’s consumer wants it all and wants it now. Shoppers are looking to in-store marketing and apps to make product selection easy. The omnichannel strategy integrates all methods of shopping, which allow customers to shop where want and when they want. The key is attracting customers to visit brick-and-mortar stores. Even online giant Amazon.com is recognizing this. In September, Kohl’s announced a partnership with Amazon which allows customers to return Amazon purchases in select Kohl’s stores. Beyond partnering with competitors, retailers are offering more wish lists, expediting the fulfillment of orders and being more responsive to customer reviews. With a store’s inventory and staff at the consumer’s fingertips, they're more comfortable navigating traditional brick-and-mortar stores.
Experience
Shopping is all about the experience. Chains such as Nordstrom have made stores a destination by offering curbside pickup, manicures and pedicures, and restaurants. In addition, the company partnered with Trunk Club, which caters to shoppers who are loyal to brands but believe shopping in-store is overwhelming and inconvenient. Trunk Club members are assigned a personal shopper who chooses items based on a consumer’s stated preferences, then ships the items directly to the consumer. This forward-thinking partnership is designed to mitigate revenue losses from in-store sales. Retailers should look at the Nordstrom model as a way to evolve the shopping experience.
Other retailers are evaluating how they can improve the in-store experience and reaffirm brand loyalty. Target is aiming to combine the physical and digital experience of retail. Pop-up shops are also appearing in large cities throughout the country and are used to extend a brand and introduce new products. The pop-up shop industry, valued at $50 billion in 2016 according to the American Marketing Association, offers unique services, convenience and a fun experience. Some brands experiencing recent success with this model include Organic Valley dairy products, New Form Perspective, Kylie Jenner cosmetics, and Kendrick Lamar.
Execution
Executing promotions and customer-friendly policies is essential for retailers year-round. Many consumers search for retailers with quick and easy returns, free shipping, prime product placement in stores, and free in-store pickups.
Retailers should pay particular attention to the omnichannel experience. Limited-time offers via websites, in-store apps and email are key and have been successful for Kohl’s, Sephora and Target, which employ these strategies during various marketing campaigns that are strategically timed throughout the year.
Uniqlo has become a key player in the United States market that sticks to the basics. Known for its affordable, low-cost clothing made with quality material, Uniqlo has been recognized for its aesthetically pleasing stores with wide aisles, items in stock and employees trained to deliver a memorable customer service experience. Its signature HeatTech material, designed to trap a person’s body heat to keep them warm on a cold day, has become a staple of the brand and is cherished by its loyal customer base.
Holiday retail sales exceeded projections by 5.5 percent, netting $691.9 billion in 2017, with online shopping projected to surpass in-store sales for the first time. Brick-and-mortar stores, having taken note, are innovating to adjust to the changing market. Despite this historic shift, customers still want to see and feel items, which are strong influencers in the consumer decision-making process. Consumer behavior and spending habits have changed, but the human senses have not.
The three E’s create a winning retail strategy which can secure a stable long-term outlook for retailers across the country. Retailers should tap into the mind of consumers by listening and asking questions to give the customer confidence while making a purchase, regardless of the shopping season. Putting the customer first ensures that customers of all ages get something unique from their retail relationship.
Kristen Regine, DBA, is a professor of marketing in the Johnson & Wales University College of Business at the Providence Campus.
Related story: When Armageddon Means Reinvention in Retail


Occurrence of volcanic ash beds in the Wolfcamp and Spraberry of the Midland Basin and their potential challenges for drilling Abstract
Multiple instances of volcanic ash beds are identified during active drilling within the Wolfcamp shale and Spraberry formation in the Midland Basin of west Texas. These ash beds were initially observed in vertical cores using ultraviolet light and can range between 1 cm to 15 cm (0.5 ft), with most 3 cm or less. During drilling of recent horizontal wellbores, operations has logged cuttings containing 5% ash to greater than 80% ash per sample. Volcanic ash is identified in wells located throughout the entire N-S length of the central portion of the Midland Basin on both the western and eastern margins. Stratigraphically, the majority of volcanic ash occurrences are within the Wolfcamp A and Wolfcamp B operational units. A possible source for these volcanic ash-fall deposits is a Permian-aged volcanic arc located in present-day NE Mexico. Recent drilling and operational issues have occurred in some high-percentage ash-bearing zones that include tight wellbore, wellbore pack-off, directional control issues, and increased drag while setting casing. In some instances, drilling issues were severe enough to require sidetracking the well or setting casing short of planned total depth. Possible problems caused by volcanic ash may include preferential break-out due to low rock strength, sloughing in the wellbore, ineffective wellbore cleaning, and altering the drilling fluid. These adverse effects may slow down drilling performance. Studies are ongoing to identify regions and target zones that contain a high occurrence of ash and to assess the severity of potential challenges during drilling and completion operations.
AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90343 ©2019 AAPG Southwest Section Annual Convention, Dallas, Texas, April 6-9, 2019


Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and impact of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) among women in Europe, and their experience of HMB assessment and management.
METHODS: An internet-based survey was conducted among women (aged 18-57years) in five European countries between January and February 2012. The prevalence of HMB among the general population was determined in a short survey, and women who had been diagnosed with HMB were then asked to complete an extended survey about their diagnosis and symptoms. RESULTS: Overall, 4506 women responded, of whom 1225 (27.2%) had experienced two or more predefined HMB symptoms within the previous year. Of these women, 564 (46.0%) had never consulted a physician. Among 330 women who completed the detailed survey, 208 (63.0%) had ever been diagnosed with iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia. Symptoms associated with iron deficiency were used to help confirm a diagnosis in 83 (39.9%) women. Only 152 (46.1%) of the 330 patients with confirmed HMB had received prescription medication for iron deficiency. CONCLUSION: Many women affected by HMB do not seek medical help, and few of those who do consult physicians report that they have received appropriate treatment. HMB continues to be underdiagnosed and poorly treated.


Conveyancing typically refers to the legal process you undertake when transferring real estate. Unfortunately, most property buyers are not interested in the technicalities and legal procedures conveyancers conduct as they buy property. However, understanding these processes goes a long way in preventing oversights that could land you in a legal or financial crisis. Below is a detailed piece on the conveyancing process.
As a buyer, you need a conveyancer representing your interests during the purchase. Some buyers opt to work with the seller's conveyancer. However, this is not advisable since the conveyancer has a conflict of interest. Conduct background research on your preferred conveyancer to ensure they have a practising licence and the experience needed to transfer property. You are at an advantage if the conveyancer specialises in the locality you plan to buy property. This way, the conveyancer is well acquainted with property laws, real estate trends and proposed development regulations.
Once you engage the conveyancer's services, they contact the property seller and introduce themselves as your legal representative. Consequently, the conveyancer begins the due diligence process to ascertain the property's legality and condition. For instance, they check whether the title details correspond with the information in the land registry. Moreover, they assess whether the property has an ongoing dispute or has been used as collateral for a loan. The professional also checks local land laws, easements and zoning regulations that could affect how you use the property. Finally, the conveyancer sanctions a property inspection to establish the structure's build quality, the presence of pest infestations and dangerous materials on the property.
If the property meets the conveyancer's eligibility criteria, they appraise it and compare its valuation against the seller's asking price. They use the valuation to compel the seller to lower their asking price. If both parties agree, they set the conditions for sale. For instance, you could be required to provide a mortgage pre-approval letter. On the other hand, the conveyancer could ask the seller to conduct minor renovations and provide all documentation relating to the property. The parties then draft a contract to formalise their agreement.
If you plan to take a mortgage, the conveyancer approaches lenders and negotiates the lending conditions. The conveyancer's primary objective is to ensure you get a mortgage with reasonable terms and interest rates. Once they secure financing, the bank pays the seller and the conveyancer commences the property transfer process. Once the property is in your name, you pay the conveyancer and the conveyancing process comes to a close.
Reach out to a firm such as ARDENT LAWYERS to find out more.


The lottery has a long history in the United States, dating back to the early 1700s. Newspaper ads from the colonial era suggest that there were hundreds of lotteries in operation by the eighteenth century. In 1934, Puerto Rico began operating its own lottery, and in 1964, New Hampshire became the first US state to do so. Now, lottery games are operated in 45 states and the District of Columbia. The Virgin Islands is set to launch its own lottery in 2021.
Today, there are countless ways to participate in the lottery, from online to paper-based. Some lotteries are run by lottery app companies while others are run by lottery betting sites. Online lotteries can offer big prize pools and aren’t limited to any particular state or country. This means that players from across the globe can enter and win big prizes.
One popular method of purchasing lottery tickets is through an iLottery website. This service allows players to purchase tickets for a specific lottery game on a particular day. Many lottery providers offer subscriptions for their products, and in some cases, a player can pay for them in advance. Online lottery sites even allow you to pay by credit or debit card.
While playing the lottery online is convenient, some people prefer to play it in a physical location. This way, they can be sure that everything is legitimate and that they’ll get paid for their tickets. Furthermore, some countries and states don’t even offer lottery games. Hence, playing the lottery online can be a hassle. However, some lottery sites have lottery apps that make the process of playing the lottery easier and more convenient.
Another popular way to play the lottery is to bet on specific numbers. This method is called number betting and differs from the official lottery operator. With this method, players can bet on specific numbers that are likely to be drawn, and these bets can have large returns. However, it is important to note that if you win a lottery game, you will be splitting the jackpot with other lottery players.
Some people have also turned to lottery concierge services. These services buy tickets in other people’s names. This method allows them to participate in lotteries across the globe, including those that offer the biggest jackpots. However, these services are not government-endorsed and are operated by private companies. Their fees are added to the standard price of the lottery ticket. They may be worth considering if the jackpots in your own country are lower than those offered abroad.
The New York Lottery draws every Wednesday and Saturday evening. Players choose up to six numbers and then try to match three numbers. If they match three numbers, they win $1. However, the payouts for these games are not very good. New York lottery has been losing ground to other lottery games with larger jackpots. If they win the jackpot, they can choose to receive their prize in a lump sum or over several years.


Have you lost one or more teeth? A missing tooth can lead to a number of complications, ranging from misalignment to loss of jawbone density. In order to enjoy a whole smile and avoid serious complications you need a dental prosthetic. Do you need an implant bridge? How does placement work?
Common Questions About Implant Bridges
Question: When does the doctor recommend a bridge?
Answer: We may suggest one to replace one to three missing teeth, provided they are in a row. We use them to address minor tooth loss.
Question: How does an implant version differ?
Answer: Traditional prosthetics are held in place with dental crowns. The crowns are attached to the artificial teeth and placed onto the natural teeth on each side of the gap in the smile. However, with the implant version, implant posts are inserted into the jawbone, securing the new teeth without requiring surrounding teeth to lose structure. In addition to preventing misalignment, the posts stimulate jawbone growth, preventing loss of jawbone density.
Question: Who qualifies for an implant-supported dental bridge?
Answer: The patient will need to have enough jawbone tissue to support the new tooth. Otherwise, we refer him/her to a specialist to receive a bone grafting procedure. After the grafting procedure, the patient’s jawbone can then receive a dental implant.
Question: How long will my new tooth/teeth last?
Answer: Crown and bridges last between 10 and 15 years. However, the implant alternative can last for several decades, often a lifetime. You will need to care for them as you would your natural teeth, brushing and flossing daily and having your teeth professionally cleaned once every six months. If you have any questions about our implant bridges then please contact our office today.


As our children learn and grow in our ever-changing society, it is vital that we provide opportunities for them to develop as confident, self-assured Langstone Learners. By embedding the skills needed to become a resilient, reflective thinker, pupils are proud of their achievements and of their school.
Through P4C discussions and debates, we promote care and respect for one another, our school, local community and wider world whilst valuing others’ ideas and viewpoints. Our PSHE curriculum allows pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe, to value British Citizenship and prepare for life and work in modern Britain. This, alongside our RE curriculum, provides opportunities to explore how cultures and events have shaped our own and others heritage and beliefs as an integral part of our learning journey.
With this in mind, we have developed four main aims that demonstrate the focus of our school.
We aim to plan and implement a curriculum, tailored specifically to our community that meets the needs of individuals based on prior experience and current/topical issues including a focus on content at risk from previous year groups. Because we recognise the need to develop pupils who respect and engage with the fundamental British Values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect. We believe that pupils should grow to become respectful and caring members of our school, wider community and wider world through a curriculum that encourages imagination and creativity whilst encouraging pupils to continuously and independently, reflect on their learning and experiences. We aim to provide opportunities to share, discuss, question and challenge within a range of contexts, facilitated specifically by skills taught and applied within P4C. Because we recognise that children need to feel a sense of enjoyment and fascination when learning about themselves, others and the world around them as it will enable them to work and socialise with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. We aim to ensure that PSHE values and aims are embedded across the curriculum. Because these skills are fundamental in supporting the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of our pupils. It is essential that our pupils understand the consequences of their behaviour and actions and use a range of social skills in different contexts. It also allows them to care for, respect, question and challenge the world around them. We aim to provide opportunities for pupils to participate in and experience wider-world settings and events. Because we recognise that children need ‘real-world’ experiences in order to understand and appreciate the range of different cultures within and outside of school. We aim to develop children who grow up to be caring and respectful members of a community, or social setting, with the confidence to contribute to and react encouragingly to a variety of cultural opportunities.
For SMSC, this learning will mean that by the end of Key Stage 2, children will be equipped with knowledge and understanding of the skills needed to be resilient, reflective thinkers who can question the world around them and face challenge with a positive outlook.
Please find below our PSHE overview of learning for 2022-2023:


Professors Guha Krishnamurthi and Peter N. Salib analyze state gun use and self-defense laws and provide a framework for understanding when such laws can lead even perfectly rational, well-intentioned actors to engage in escalatory small arms races.
Peter N. Salib and Guha Krishnamurthi argue that the impact of vote margins on election litigation and legitimacy provides a rationale for voting.


Our ancestors have gathered in circles for thousands of years. Indigenous peoples have kept the teachings alive through generations. We are deeply interconnected and relational.
Scientific advances in neuroscience and physics enhance our understanding of trauma, group dynamics and our interconnectedness.
Be radically present – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Listen deeply and express who you truly are; know what is really going on and determine collectively a path forward.
Such as learning, decision-making, strategic planning, conflict resolution, relationship building, healing, reconciliation, sentencing, reintegration, celebration.
Implemented in workplaces, justice systems, schools, communities, and families. It just takes two or more people who are interested and willing.
Circles are successfully employed for all kinds of situations and conflict, from gossip to murder.


If you see a distinctive pattern of cracking in your asphalt that looks like the…
Anytime a business or organization is building a publicly accessible parking lot, it is important to ensure that provisions are included to maximize access for anyone living with disabilities. This means that the appropriate number of car- and van-accessible handicapped parking spaces must be provided relative to the total capacity of the parking lot.
At Integrity Paving & Coatings, we can help your business ensure that your parking lot is clearly marked and compliant with all ADA standards to provide the best access for all your customers. Contact us online to get started. What Are the Latest ADA Standards?
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, any place of public accommodation, such as apartment buildings, retail stores, educational institutions, motels, and recreational facilities, must have a set number of accessible parking spaces based on the total size of the parking facility. The latest ADA Standards for Accessible Design, published in the Federal Register on September 15, 2010, set the following requirements for accessible parking spaces:
Accessible parking spaces can be divided into two categories: car-accessible parking spaces and van-accessible parking spaces.
What Are Car- & Van-Accessible Parking Spaces?
Car-accessible parking paces provide room for a wheelchair or walker to navigate along the side of the parked vehicle. They must be at least 96 inches wide to accommodate the car, and they must have a 60-inch-wide access aisle adjacent to the parking space for maneuvering.
To provide clearance for chair lifts, van-accessible parking spaces must be at least 132 inches wide, and they must have a 60-inch or wider access aisle adjacent to the parking space. In both cases, two accessible parking spaces may share the same accesses aisle.
How Many Van-Accessible Parking Spaces Are Required?
Ideally, a facility should have both van- and car-accessible parking spaces to provide the best possible access, but that is not always viable due to space requirements or layout. According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2010 ADA Standards of Accessible Design, for every six accessible parking spaces in a parking facility, at least one must be a van-accessible parking space. In smaller parking facilities that require only one accessible parking space, that space must be a van-accessible parking space.
Need help determining how many accessible parking spaces your business needs? Contact our parking lot design experts at Integrity Paving & Coatings. Paving & Parking Lot Striping Services in Central Texas
When you want to design an ADA-complaint parking lot, turn to our experts at Integrity Paving & Coatings. We offer concrete paving and asphalt paving services, along with striping services to designate standard and accessible parking spaces. We serve multifamily homes, apartment complexes, retail stores, offices, restaurants, schools, municipal facilities, and more. Our company is locally owned and operated with over a decade of service in Austin and the Central Texas region, and we offer excellent service, an experienced team, and great communications. We are BBB accredited with an A+ rating, and we will complete your project on time and on budget.


Shares of The Kroger Company (KR) rose nearly 6% during after-hours trading on Friday after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A) disclosed that it purchased about 19 million shares worth over a half billion dollars – representing about 2.3% of outstanding shares. While the billionaire investor hasn't offered any commentary, his successful track record is a draw to many investors and could boost the stock price.
The move comes as Kroger's management team has faced criticism over its underwhelming three-year plan introduced two years ago. Despite easy comps and a favorable pricing environment, the company failed to deliver strong margins during the third quarter, and some analysts are starting to question management's ability to execute. The involvement of Berkshire Hathaway could help alleviate some of these fears.
With a valuation of more than $1 billion, Kroger is one of three publicly traded grocery chains alongside Sprouts Farmers Markets, Inc. (SFM) and Weis Markets, Inc. (WMK). Albertsons is reportedly considering an initial public offering that could result in a $19 billion valuation, according to The Wall Street Journal, which could create a third publicly traded competitor.
From a technical standpoint, Kroger stock is poised to rebound from its 50-day moving average at $28.11 to retest its reaction highs of around $29.00 over the coming sessions. The relative strength index (RSI) remains neutral with a reading of 53.66, while the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) experienced a modest upswing this month. These indicators suggest that the stock could have room to run.
Traders should watch for a breakout from reaction highs of $29.00 toward trendline resistance at around $30.00. If the stock moves lower, traders could see a move toward trendline support or reaction lows of around $27.00, although that scenario seems less likely to occur given the bullish Berkshire Hathaway news over the extended weekend. The company's next earnings release is slated for March 5, 2020.
The author holds no position in the stock(s) mentioned except through passively managed index funds.


Navigating the ever-changing legal and regulatory landscape for investors in East Africa’s energy sector
The last 12-18 months have seen significant developments in East Africa’s energy sector, including the commissioning of Africa’s largest wind farm (the 300MW Lake Turkana Wind Farm) as well as the promulgation of various policies, guidelines and statutory enactments across East Africa aimed at modernising legal and regulatory frameworks. Our panel of experts will gather to provide an on-the-ground perspective of recent developments and changes and assess how lessons learned (both by the public and private sector) are shaping risk-allocation for the development of future projects.
Speakers:
Rizwan Fazal, Director, Lake Turkana Wind Power Ltd
Eric Mwangi, Strategic advisor to the Ministry of Energy Kwame Parker, Partner and Investment Director, Frontier Energy Aleem Tharani, Partner, Bowmans Ke
For details of the original event, follow this link.


The Gram-negative human pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes a wide range of infections with severe morbidity and mortality cases. Among many virulence factors produced by P. aeruginosa are several phospholipases generally known to contribute to nutrient utilization, phospholipid homeostasis, damage of host cell membranes and modulation of lipid signaling in eukaryotic cells. Here, we will study PlbF, a newly identified phospholipase B linked to biofilm formation and virulence of P. aeruginosa. The enzyme is anchored to the cytoplasmic membrane via a single transmembrane (TM) helix which is involved in the formation of homodimers. Recently, we solved the PlbF crystal structure which revealed a unique dimerisation mode through coiled-coil interactions of TM helices. In the crystal structure, fatty acid ligands bound in the active site were identified which may represent lipid messengers and could thus provide a link to virulence properties of P. aeruginosa. In this project, we aim to determine how the dynamics of mono- to dimerisation regulates the catalytic properties of PlbF. We furthermore want to elucidate the physiological role of PlbF for lipid signaling which becomes increasingly relevant for bacterial communication within and between cells, in particular during bacterial infections. Project leaders: Prof. Dr. Karl-Erich Jaeger, , and Dr. Filip Kovacic, Researchers: Julia Berger, Matea Modric


The new platform is Linux’s digital toolkit that promises to find and fix insensitive language and provide insights into code.
Linux believes that the LFX platform is a good investment with the numbers to back it. So it’s no wonder that they recently reported spending over $180 million on the platform that promises to enhance security, provide insights and remove any racial or gender insensitive language within their code.
Reports show that Linux has grown its membership by 280% and forecasts an income of $177 million this year.
What is the LFX Platform?
The LFX platform is a management and analytical tool that allows organizations to gain meaningful insights on their projects regarding security and health. However, performing this task without mandating specific platforms or tools is a struggle. This process is done through hundreds of connectors that transfer data through various sources.
The project is not 100% complete, and there are still a few things that developers are finalizing. However, the Linux Foundation has made it available globally for customers to get a feel of what the platform is all about. The downloadable will be extensible, and the full release will happen in the first quarter of 2022.
LFX functionalities
The LFX platform can be considered as a digital toolkit, and it offers the following functionalities:
Security tools that include static analysis Project Control Center which allows project automation Assesses the health of the project Bring all contributors under a single platform for better collaboration
The LFX platform is yet to be fully released, but the speculations show that this platform will be helping several organizations with their project management and security. However, we will have to wait till the first quarter of 2022 to see if the platform truly offers what promises.


Professional “con artists” are experts at targeting vulnerable people. Too often their victims are the elderly, those living alone, those with memory issues or physical handicaps. Con artists roam the isles of your local supermarket or stake out the parking lots at shopping centers. They can see the frailty factor of their intended target a mile away!
Con artists attend Alzheimer’s support groups and other events for the elderly, lonely, infirmed and their caregivers. They read the obituaries attend the wake of a senior’s spouse they do not know; introducing themselves and extending offers of assistance which they will later follow up.
Often, the targeted person: your mother, father, aunt or uncle, cannot see or sense that they are being target or victimized. Cons steal valuables, take money by deception or extortion, and threaten their victims with bodily harm if they go to authorities.
Children of senior parents often feel helpless to protect their parents from these predators. Frequently, local police will not pursue the culprits, choosing to merely warn the elderly person to “be careful of strangers.”
BBPI offers a comprehensive range of investigative services to protect our seniors. Background checks for caregivers or new-found close friends often reveals hidden dangers.
Lonely people often “take-in” friendly people just for companionship or someone to drive them to complete essential duties like shopping or medical appointments. Anyone who is NOT a family member (and often some who are) should be screened to verify that their motives are noble and they have no history of elder abuse, fraud or theft.
Most States have “elder abuse” laws that criminalize many acts against seniors. To receive the full protection of these laws, you benefit from private investigative evidence to present to police. The more proof you offer them, the faster they will get involved, arrest perpetrators and prosecute. This is where our Specialized Senior Services are most valuable in protecting your loved ones.
We have provided a simple form below to enable you to consult with our investigative staff about your concerns about elder care. It is confidential and FREE, so complete the form now and let’s begin the process of keeping our loved ones safe.


Description The Estero Bay watershed is under significant development pressure with potential impacts on storm water runoff characteristics, and changes in salinity patterns, nutrient and turbidity levels. Environmental quality in the bay is particularly vulnerable to future degradation due to increasing urbanization and the Bay's limited volume. In recent years, the Caloosahatchee Estuary system has also been impacted due to development and water management activities. These impacts have prompted the development of Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs) for the Caloosahatchee River by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). A District revision of the MFLs for the Caloosahatchee River and Estero Bay regions required the development of hydrodynamic and water quality models. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with SFWMD, performed a bathymetric survey of lower Estero Bay using single-beam and aircraft-based lidar systems. High resolution, acoustic and lidar bathymetric surveying are proven methods to map sea and river floor elevations. Survey track-lines were spaced 250-meters apart orientated along long axis of the river, bays, and estuaries. Several perimeter survey lines were also collected. This report serves as an archive of processed lidar bathymetry data that were collected in Estero Bay, Florida in 2003. Geographic Information System (GIS) data products include XYZ data, bathymetric contours, and a USGS quadrangle map. Additional files include formal Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata. [More]


Abstract
The undercount in public coverage observed in survey results has been an issue for decades. Due to factors including confusion about coverage type and a strong social desirability effect, Medicaid enrollment is significantly underestimated in most surveys. The recent CHIME study comparing ACS and CPS survey responses to the known insurance status of a study group reported that only 83% of public enrollees in the study group under age 65 accurately reported their coverage in response to these two surveys (Call, Pascale, Fertig, and Oellerich, 2017).
Surveys such as the American Community Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System assess insurance coverage using a simple series of yes/no questions about each type of coverage. This is known as the traditional design.
Survey design can help to reduce this undercount and improve data quality. Our experience is that successful survey design can minimize one primary source for undercounts; confusion about coverage type. This includes undercounts due to the state specific program structure, method of enrollment, and program administration. For example, respondents may confuse Medicaid and Medicare. Others may assume they have private insurance because they enrolled through a health exchange, despite being determined eligible for public coverage. Appropriate survey design incorporates information and questions to help resolve confusion.
In this research we compare results of surveys from four states (Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and South Dakota) to determine which survey elements are most effective in reducing the public coverage undercount. We evaluate sequentially the reporting of public coverage as respondents proceed through questions identifying health insurance coverage.
In this research, we show that one cannot rely on the traditional method of asking about health insurance coverage; a more considered design is required. Further, the survey must be tailored to individual states. Finally, we make specific recommendations for future survey design.